Alcator C-Mod Run 1050503 Information

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Miniproposals
Miniproposal:417
Date Filed: 2/24/2005
Title:Plasma performance, boronization and ICRF heating effectiveness with high-Z antenna guards and all-m
First Author:Yijun Lin
Session Leader:Yijun Lin (shots 1-29)

Operators
Session leader(s):Yijun Lin
Physics operator(s):Ron Parker,Steve Wolfe,Ron Parker
Engineering operator(s):Bill Cochran,Bill Byford,Bill Cochran,Bill Byford

Engineering Operator Run Comment
MP#417 Post-boronization evaluation

Session Leader Plans
Entered: May 3 2005 08:19:52:637AM
Author: Yijun Lin
SL_PLAN: 1050503
MP 417. Post-boronization evaluation

Setup: Li pellet and boron injectors may be needed.
Run load shot 1050426022 (possibly at a slightly different density)
Background:
Boronization done only to the outer limiter and antennas. ECDC in D2
prior to the first plasma. We need
to evaluate whether such boronization is effective, and whether it is as
effective as the previous two boronizations, 1050419 (outer divertor
only) and 1050425 (outer divertor together with outer limiter and antennas)

Goal
1. Evaluate boronization by running constant discharges.
2. Evaluate the trend of impurities levels in the plasma


Plan:
1. Load shot 1050426022 (including D2 puff in H-mode).
Slightly modified RF waveform. 3 MW from 0.7 to 0.95 sec,
4 MW from 0.95 sec to 1.15 sec, and 5 MW from 1.15 to 1.5 sec.

Do a density scan in the first 3 shots, target density at
nl = 1.1, 0.9, 1.3e20 m^-2. For the subsequent shots, choose
the density that give the best long EDA H-mode

Assess the boronization effectiveness using the first 15 plasmas.

2. Decision point.
A. If the performance is excellent (Wtot >= 170 kJ at 3 MW RF),
we will continue running the same 1 MA plasmas until we see definite
degradation of performance.
(criterion: Wtot <~ 150 kJ at 1 MA and 3 MW Prf.)
the run will stop as soon as there are
three consecutive plasmas meeting the degradated performance
criterion.

In this case, we possibly run until 9 pm. No boronization will be
followed.

B. If the boronization has worn out substantially after 15 plasmas
(150 kJ < Wtot < 165 kJ at 3 MW, 1 MA), we will continue 1 MA shot
until we see three plasmas with Wtot <~ 150 kJ at 3 MW and 1 MA.
If time allows (earlier than 5 pm), we will try boron shaker
to inject boron to the outer limiter.
We will also try Li-pellet injection. And see whether there is
an improvement on the performance.

In this case, the run will probably stop at 5 pm. No boronization
will be followed.

C. If the boronization is shown to be a "bust" (3 consecutive plasmas
at Wtot < 150 kJ at 1 MA, 3 MW Prf),
we will try the boron shaker and Li-pellet injections. We may also
do N2 puff into RF heated L-mode and identify the dominant
Mo sources.

In this case, the run will definitely stop at 5 pm.
Following this run, we will boronize the machine
in a "normal" (to be defined) way.

Physics Operators Plans
Entered: May 2 2005 06:53:18:200PM
Author: Ron Parker

Engineering setup for Tuesday, 3 May 2005

MP 417: Post-boronization evaluation

Session leader: Y. Lin
Physics operator: R. Parker

Boronize overnight, followed by 2+ hours of ECDC in D2; bake at 60 C.

Run begins at 09:00 and possibly ends at 21:00.

Power systems as on 1050429001 (Fidicial plasma)

A-coil configuration: normal [+Dtop -Dbot -Jtop +Jbot] and enabled.

Gas Setup:
fill B-Top with 6 psi D2 Hybrid enabled (PG4)
fill B-side lower with 2 psi Ar Hybrid enabled (PG1)
leave B-side upper with whatever Hybrid disabled
fill B-main (C-side) with 40 psi D2 Hybrid enabled (PG3)

fill NINJA with 8 psi N2 Leave disabled to begin with

Torvac setup: Gate Valves closed on first shot, open thereafter.

Enable the following gate valves, assuming no vacuum problems:
ECE, VUV, Z-bolo shutters

Necessary diagnostics: Core/confinement incl. bolometry, pedestal profiles,
H/D, boron and molybdenum monitoring

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICRF Setup: All transmitters in run on at 8:30

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Run plan: Start with shot 1050429001 (Fiducial plasma)

After Boronization Recovery:

Session Leader Plan:

1. Load shot 1050426022 (including D2 puff in H-mode).
Slightly modified RF waveform. 3 MW from 0.7 to 0.95 sec,
4 MW from 0.95 sec to 1.15 sec, and 5 MW from 1.15 to 1.5 sec.

Do a density scan in the first 3 shots, target density at
nl = 1.1, 0.9, 1.3e20 m^-2. For the subsequent shots, choose
the density that give the best long EDA H-mode

Assess the boronization effectiveness using the first 15 plasmas.

2. Decision point.
A. If the performance is excellent (Wtot >= 170 kJ at 3 MW RF),
we will continue running the same 1 MA plasmas until we see definite
degradation of performance.
(criterion: Wtot <~ 150 kJ at 1 MA and 3 MW Prf.)
the run will stop as soon as there are
three consecutive plasmas meeting the degradated performance
criterion.

In this case, we possibly run until 9 pm. No boronization will be
followed.

B. If the boronization has worn out substantially after 15 plasmas
(150 kJ < Wtot < 165 kJ at 3 MW, 1 MA), we will continue 1 MA shot
until we see three plasmas with Wtot <~ 150 kJ at 3 MW and 1 MA.
If time allows (earlier than 5 pm), we will try boron shaker
to inject boron to the outer limiter.
We will also try Li-pellet injection. And see whether there is
an improvement on the performance.

In this case, the run will probably stop at 5 pm. No boronization
will be followed.

C. If the boronization is shown to be a "bust" (3 consecutive plasmas
at Wtot < 150 kJ at 1 MA, 3 MW Prf),
we will try the boron shaker and Li-pellet injections. We may also
do N2 puff into RF heated L-mode and identify the dominant
Mo sources.

In this case, the run will definitely stop at 5 pm.
Following this run, we will boronize the machine
in a "normal" (to be defined) way.

Session Leader Summaries
Entered: May 3 2005 05:17:47:713PM
Author: Yijun Lin
SL summary: post-boronization recovery
Total 29 shots.
26 fizzles/earlier disruptions (shorter than 130 ms)
1 dud
2 no power shots

Physics Operator Summaries
Entered: May 3 2005 05:26:05:213PM
Author: Ron Parker
The run was very disappointing in that at best only extended (100 ms)
fizzles could be produced. The run followed Boronization during the prior
evening, and before that, over the weekend, there was a backfill of the machine
for Thomson calibration. During the calibration substantial amounts of dust
were observed in the machine, and the dust also could be seen in the plasma
light for the longer shots. Although the run had been scheduled to last until 9:00
it was terminated at 5:15 since progress in producing good plasma shots was very slow.

At this point, the root cause of the fizzles is unknown -- Boronization ? -- Dust?
-- Other? The plan is to consider overnight discharge clean in He and hope for better plasmas tomorrow.

Session Leader Comments
May 3 2005 08:58:53:717AM1050503001Yijun Linfiducial shot attempt. fizzle
May 3 2005 10:09:00:840AM1050503002Yijun Linfizzle
May 3 2005 10:09:05:997AM1050503003Yijun Linfizzle
May 3 2005 10:20:09:013AM1050503004Yijun Linfizzle
May 3 2005 10:33:55:107AM1050503005Yijun Lin fizzle/early disruption.

May 3 2005 10:45:10:497AM1050503006Yijun Linfizzle
May 3 2005 10:59:55:887AM1050503007Yijun Linfizzle/early disruption
May 3 2005 11:16:16:113AM1050503008Yijun Linfizzle
May 3 2005 11:24:48:783AM1050503009Yijun Lin fizzle/early disruption (to 75 ms).
May 3 2005 11:42:54:133AM1050503010Yijun Linfizzle
May 3 2005 11:55:46:620AM1050503011Yijun Linearly disruption (to 110 ms)
May 3 2005 12:08:11:963PM1050503012Yijun Lin early disruption (to 90 ms)
May 3 2005 12:30:41:840PM1050503013Yijun Linup to 75 ms
May 3 2005 12:36:20:743PM1050503014Yijun Linto 120 ms
May 3 2005 01:14:05:650PM1050503015Yijun Linto 120 ms
May 3 2005 01:14:37:260PM1050503016Yijun Linto 80 ms
May 3 2005 01:14:54:633PM1050503017Yijun Linto 100 ms
May 3 2005 01:27:26:307PM1050503018Yijun Lindud. No gas
May 3 2005 01:39:36:887PM1050503019Yijun Lin120 ms. 340 kA.
May 3 2005 01:56:17:837PM1050503020Yijun Linsimilar to shot 19.
May 3 2005 02:12:13:417PM1050503021Yijun Linfizzle
May 3 2005 02:19:47:667PM1050503022Yijun Linfizzle
May 3 2005 02:32:08:010PM1050503023Yijun Linfizzle
May 3 2005 02:51:00:650PM1050503024Yijun Linfizzle
ECDC in He for 1 hour.
May 3 2005 04:20:18:853PM1050503025Yijun Linno power shot
May 3 2005 04:32:48:853PM1050503026Yijun Linno power shot

May 3 2005 04:49:10:603PM1050503027Yijun Linfizzle

May 3 2005 05:06:48:510PM1050503028Yijun Lin to 400 kA, 130 ms. better. Record amount of gas coming off the
wall afte the disruption (Blip).
May 3 2005 05:14:22:650PM1050503029Yijun Linfizzle

Physics Operator Comments
May 3 2005 08:51:09:810AM1050503001Ron ParkerThe first shot will be the fidicial shot 1050429001
May 3 2005 09:06:48:747AM1050503001Ron ParkerFirst shot was a fizzle, H-alpha shows breakdown at 6+ ms.
Bz is negative, -2 mT at 5 ms exactly as in shot 1050429001.

We'll repeat this shot with no changes -- if fizzle, we'll increase Bz.
May 3 2005 09:17:18:763AM1050503001Ron ParkerDelay due to data system hangup -- PC DAC 1 (Fast MHD)
May 3 2005 09:31:09:527AM1050503002Ron ParkerShot 2 also fizzled. Compared to shot 1 on the 29th, the gas is
significantly higher, ~ .05 mTorr compared with .03 mTorr. So
we'll take 3 ms off the prefill for next shot.
May 3 2005 10:03:29:950AM1050503002Ron ParkerAnother delay due to data system hangup. Also several cell entries.
Some data from shot will be lost. Ready to go at 10:05.
May 3 2005 10:13:41:183AM1050503003Ron ParkerShot 3 fizzled again, albeit it lasted somewhat longer.

For the next shot we've increased Bz by ~ 1 mT (15 A on EF4) and
also further reduced the fill pressure by 2 ms.
May 3 2005 10:26:21:653AM1050503004Ron ParkerAnother fizzle, still sluggish burnout. Try again with 2 ms less gas.
May 3 2005 10:42:33:060AM1050503005Ron ParkerMaking a little progress, but shot disrupted early due to slow current rise.
We'll continue lowering fill pressure, 2 ms more down to 9 ms. Also,
Voltage on PG3 reduced to 70 volts then 100.
May 3 2005 10:48:36:433AM1050503006Ron ParkerStill problems. Very poor current rise.
Since we are having gate valve problems, we will henceforth
open gate valves.
May 3 2005 11:02:29:763AM1050503007Steve WolfeShot#7: Wolfe taking over as physop from Parker.
No PCS changes, but stop closing the gate valve in pulse.
Another fizzle/shorty; gets to 75msec.
base pressure was 3.2e-6 before the shot.
Pressure started below 20uTorr, but is still rising.
Still getting injections or hitting something
after 45msec.

Next shot: pg3 in seg1 down to 50V


May 3 2005 11:13:19:707AM1050503008Steve Wolfe
Shot#8: Pg3 in seg1 down to 50V, leave pg4 at 9msec.
Turn off bside lower. Shouldn't have been on. 
Also, after this shot, have them pump it down to 1psi Argon
Fizzle. Never made it to the 20msec point, so change
in pg3 was irelevant. 

next shot: raise pg4 by 2msec, take another 5A off ef4

May 3 2005 11:27:50:357AM1050503009Steve Wolfe
Shot#9: raise pg4 by 2msec to 11ms, 
take another 5A off ef4 to 1345
Another shorty, about 75msec, 
almost lost it at 20msec. big lump on the z-meter
signal after 10msec. pressure rise is slower,
still gets to 50uTorr at 40msec, from 20 at t=0

next shot: raise pg4 to 13msec

May 3 2005 11:45:28:947AM1050503010Steve Wolfe
Shot#10: raise pg4 by 2msec to 13ms, 
fizzle. Huge lump on zmeter at 10msec, 
big jump on halpha at 20msec, and then it's all over. 

next shot: raise Br by .3mT

May 3 2005 11:59:12:980AM1050503011Steve Wolfe
Shot#11: raise Br0 by .3mT to -.0002T
base pressure in check is 2.6e-6
That one got to 110msec, 
Still getting a big burst on the zmeter, and a 
hesitation in the current rise between 15 and 20ms.
Current is <300kA at 0.1sec

next shot: reduce pg3 in seg1



May 3 2005 12:11:09:400PM1050503012Steve Wolfe
Shot#12: reduce pg3 in seg1 to 20V.
Under 100msec, only 200kA
No lump on the z-meter. still hesitates early.
Apparent injection at 56msec, ugly after that.

Next shot: Jim is having the Boron Injector gate valve
closed. No PCS changes



May 3 2005 12:25:05:917PM1050503013Steve Wolfe
Shot#13: Jim is having the Boron Injector gate valve
closed, because he thinks there is a leak in it. No PCS changes
Shorter, around 75msec, still and injection (or marfe?) at 60msec,
and the early zmeter lump is back. 

next shot: raise pg4 by 2msec

May 3 2005 12:37:03:493PM1050503014Steve Wolfe
Shot#14: raise pg4 by 2msec to 15msec
125msec, 300kA, still has injections,
still has lump on zmeter, but smaller. 

next shot: turn off pg3 puff in seg1,
another 10A off ef4

May 3 2005 12:49:09:400PM1050503015Steve Wolfe
Shot#15: turn off pg3 puff in seg1,
another 10A off ef4 to -1335A
Another shorty, 128ms but only 240kA.

Parker taking over again.

May 3 2005 12:54:33:197PM1050503015Ron ParkerShot was similar to previous shot, lasting about 120 ms.

Significant dust appearing on LH camera view of grill.

Current is resistive during current rise, reaching only half
of nominal value before disruption.
May 3 2005 01:12:12:120PM1050503016Ron ParkerShot 16 was again short, ending at about 80 ms.

Anyone for discharge cleaning?
May 3 2005 01:22:20:307PM1050503017Ron ParkerShot 17 was the best so far, the current reached nearly 300 kA and seemed
slightly less resistive.
May 3 2005 01:28:23:527PM1050503018Ron ParkerShot 18 was a dud, due to a failure of prefill valve to open.

Try again.
May 3 2005 01:44:05:540PM1050503019Ron ParkerStill getting a bit less resisitive.

Steve suggests lower the demand for current at 100 ms to correspond
to the current that we actually achieve (300 kA).

done for next next shot.
May 3 2005 02:03:33:040PM1050503020Ron ParkerFor the next shot, we've reinstalled pg 3 @ ~ 60 volts for 100 ms.
May 3 2005 02:11:36:087PM1050503021Ron ParkerThis shot was a short fizzle. The fill pressure has come down to .022 mT at breakdown. Add 2 ms to prefill -- 15 ms to 17 ms
May 3 2005 02:25:59:073PM1050503022Ron ParkerShot 22 was another short fizzle. Ian suggests to change Rcur Offset, which we've
done for next shot, from 2500 to 2000.

We've also added two more ms of pulse gas prefill.
May 3 2005 02:38:23:633PM1050503023Ron ParkerStill fizzling early.

Changing BR offset seemed to help a tad, so we'll go further in
this direction, to 1500. Also, changed BR offset to -.0005
May 3 2005 02:48:29:230PM1050503024Ron ParkerMore fizzling.

There will be a break in the "action" while we discharge clean in He
for 1 hour.
May 3 2005 04:37:03:680PM1050503025Ron ParkerShot 25 was a no power shot. Try Again.

Between shot 24 and 25 we had ~ 1 hour of ECDC in Helium.

Shot 25 was programmed to be the same as shot 24.
May 3 2005 04:41:14:527PM1050503026Ron ParkerShot 26 was a no power shot. Continue to be plagued by
data system hangups.
May 3 2005 04:51:56:900PM1050503027Ron ParkerShot 26 was a marginally better fizzle than shot 24, which was the last shot
before discharge cleaning. Next: Load shot 1050426001.
May 3 2005 05:09:17:370PM1050503028Ron ParkerShot 28 was the best of the day, reaching 400 kA and lasting ~ 130 ms.

Try one more time: bette: continue; worse: end run.


May 3 2005 05:16:04:853PM1050503029Ron ParkerShot 29 fizzled. This ends the run.

Engineering Operator Comments
ShotTimeTypeStatusComment
108:57:04:670AMPlasmaOk
209:24:14:683AMPlasmaOk
310:05:34:090AMPlasmaOk
410:18:12:607AMPlasmaOk
510:30:48:387AMPlasmaOk
610:43:26:247AMPlasmaOk
710:56:12:310AMPlasmaOk
811:09:06:357AMPlasmaOk
911:22:09:740AMPlasmaOk
1011:41:01:777AMPlasmaOk
1111:53:25:730AMPlasmaOk
1212:05:58:230PMPlasmaOk
1312:21:20:527PMPlasmaOk
1412:33:52:540PMPlasmaOk
1512:46:30:853PMPlasmaOk
1612:59:11:430PMPlasmaOk
1701:11:47:760PMPlasmaOk
1801:24:26:057PMPlasmaOk
1901:37:05:353PMPlasmaOk
2001:49:51:837PMPlasmaOk
2102:03:41:230PMPlasmaOk
2202:17:30:180PMPlasmaOk
2302:30:03:120PMPlasmaOk
2402:42:36:057PMPlasmaOk
2504:09:46:260PMPlasmaBadAck Failure at Pulse
2604:26:03:417PMPlasmaBadActmon Failure
2704:46:52:807PMPlasmaOk
2804:59:33:853PMPlasmaOk
2905:12:00:103PMPlasmaOk